Journey Members’ Christmas Wishes for their Ministry Peers
Every December, Journey Pastoral Coaching posts Christmas wishes for ministers. These are requests we are asking God to grant to His servants. In past years, we’ve posted wishes for pastors, missionaries, and young ministers; we’ve posted the wishes of history’s pastors for the pastors of today. And we’ve posted the Christmas wishes our pastoral coach has for young ministers. You can read these wish lists below after the conclusion of this article.
This year, we asked the members of Journey, all young ministers, the following question:
“What are your greatest “Christmas Wishes” (Prayers) for your peers in ministry?”
Here is how they responded:
“I pray my peers will have rest.”
“I pray my ministry peers will continue to focus on church health (personal and congregational) over church growth (numerical).”
“I pray that my peers realize their value in Christ.” Often, we look to metrics instead of the cross.
“I pray my peers realize that God has given them their dreams and desires to be stewarded.” Often, we as pastors look to help others see the realization of Christ in them, but He desired us to be formedas well. This includes those hidden dreams and aspirations.”
“I pray that my peers will focus on faithfulness and not results that the world emphasizes.” Jesus will evaluate our faithfulness with what we’ve been given.
“I pray that my peers will prioritize family over other projects.” We are shepherds to our family first, then to the flock God calls us to.
“I pray that my ministry peers will not tempt burnout with overwork.” Our first “work” is to be with Jesus. Our second work is to then go to others and give them Jesus.
“I pray my peers will experience the overflowing generosity of God and his people this Christmas season.”
“I pray my peers find margin in their life, that they would have times of rest.”
“I pray that my peers would experience Presence.” In his presence is where we find strength.
“I pray my peers and I will recommit ourselves to corporate prayer.” Revive us, O Lord, that we may call on Your Name (cf., Psalm 80:18).
“I pray my peers and I will emphasize expository preaching.” Biblical literacy is to the local church what protein is to the human body!
“I pray that my peers will give themselves to the Gospel of Jesus.” We need to know it, understand it, teach it, and live it.”
“I pray my ministry peers will first be disciples of Jesus.”
“I pray grace will become ever more real for each of them.”
“I pray God will provide rest from striving to DO ministry.”
“I pray they will hear and remain faithful to the Pastoral Vision God has given them for their ministry.”
“I pray my peers know the love of God, the grace of Jesus, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.” This is what life is about.
“I pray my peers will give themselves to prayer.” May God help our generation of ministers be a generation that walks with Jesus in living a life of prayer.
“I pray my peers will devote themselves to prayer and the Word.” We are to be pastors who live to pray and study God’s Word.
“I pray that this coming year be filled with the goodness and richness of Gods glory in each one’s life.”
“I pray my ministry peers would experience the joy of simply following Jesus.” Too often ministers allow ministry to replace a personal relationship with Jesus.
“I pray my ministry peers with a family would fully embrace their spouse and children as the first call to ministry.” We do our family a great disservice when we value them less or just as much as ministry position or calling.
“I pray my peers will love the scriptures and become skilled in reading them.”
“I pray my peers will love world missions.”
“I wish for my peers and all people that, except for emergency calls, cell phones wouldn’t work for the 12 days of Christmas. So people would “be here now,” in the moment, focused on God and really being with family and friends.”
“I pray my peers will experience the joy and peace of ministry.” It’s not work, but a humble calling and opportunity.
“I pray my peers live unhurried lives.” In today’s world, the unhurried are the deepest spiritually.
“I pray my peers will focus first on being.” Doing comes from being. “I pray my peers will walk with a mentor and peers in ministry.” And I pray that those who used to walk with a mentor and peers will do it again. I don’t want them to become isolated or burn out.
“I pray that they clearly hear the voice of God in the hardest moments.”
“I pray my ministry peers will stop focusing on building their church and instead focus on making disciples.” Jesus commanded us to make disciples. He said He would build His church.
“I pray my peers will be present with those around them.” “I pray my ministry peers will live looking for the coming of the Lord.” And will love his appearing.
“I pray my peers will have personal joy in the Christmas season.”
FINAL PRAYER
Despite the assurances of some, the West is decisively turning its back on God. As it does, it is adversely affecting the Church of Jesus Christ, weakening the Church’s fidelity to the One who has purchased us with His blood on the Cross (I Corinthians 7.23). In doctrine, worship, and mission, the Church in the West is allowing itself to be dislodged from its biblical foundations. Surveys reveal that a historically low percentage of self-identified evangelical Christians believe the cardinal doctrines of the Bible. Much of the Church has traded God-focused worship for self-focused entertainment and therapy. And where the Church once focused on making disciples of all nations (beginning in its own four walls), much energy and time is now devoted to consumer Christianity and attracting people to events.
What does this have to do with Christmas wishes for our peers?
Everything. The spiritual condition of the culture and church translates into added weight and strain on the lives of the Church’s leaders. Ministers whose passion is Jesus – preserving and proclaiming His Gospel, being His disciples and making disciples, and strengthening His Church as a missional community – feel pressure from church members, ministry colleagues, and denominational leaders to fall in line with what is “growing” local churches. Many ministers report feeling like salmon swimming upstream against American culture, and yes, even the Church.
It is clear, therefore, that this is a time to do everything we can to support those who lead the Church – pastors, missionaries, teachers, counselors, and parachurch leaders – in their ministries. Let us be quick and constant in our care and encouragement. Let us be gracious and considerate in walking with them. Let us be insistent in taking the initiative to ask where and how we can serve alongside them. Let us be faithful to pray daily and fervently for them, lifting them, their families, and their ministries up to the God of grace.
May God’s presence overwhelm them!
May God draw them ever deeper into Himself!
May God’s Spirit fill them – over and over again!
May God give them wisdom!
May God’s grace and love consume them!
May God empower them!
May God use them to stir His Church in a Spirit-led and Spirit-fed revival marked not only by manifestations of the Spirit in church services, but in transformed lives, cities, and even nations.
“Hear these, our prayers, this day, oh Lord, and throughout the year to come. Let your blessing rest on these, your servants. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.
”Our Christmas Wishes (Prayers) from previous years (click on the link to read the article):
Journey’s Christmas Wish List for All Pastors (December 2015)
YOUR Pastor’s Christmas Wish List (December 2015)
YOUR Pastor’s Christmas Wish List 2.0 Part I (December 2016)
A Pastoral Coach’s Christmas Wish List for Pastors (December 2016)
Faithful Pastors of History Offer Gift Suggestions for Your Pastor Part I (December 2019)
Faithful Pastors of History Offer Gift Suggestions for Your Pastor Part II (December 2019)
Journey’s Christmas Wish List for Missionaries (December 2019)
A Christmas Wish List for Pastors From a Pastor of Pastors Part (December 2020 & 2021)
History’s Christmas Wish List for Pastors Part I (December 2022)
History’s Christmas Wish List for Pastors Part II (December 2022)
A Young Pastor’s Christmas Wish List (December 2023)
A Pastoral Coach’s Christmas Wish List (December 2024)
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NOTE: Journey Pastoral Coaching exists to provide pastoral coaching to Millennial ministers.
Saddled with large student debt, just beginning to set up homes and start families, and serving in low paying first and second positions, Millennials are those who most desire but can least afford to pay for pastoral coaching.
We are able to do so thanks to the faithful and generous support of individuals and churches like yours who want to see young leaders not only enter the ministry, but remain in the ministry.
Now, more than ever, we need your help.
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